Golf ball retriever

ABSTRACT

A golf ball retriever for retrieving a golf ball from an inaccessible position such as from the bottom of a water hazard and consisting of a telescopic handle having a pair of jaw members spring biased in a direction to close toward each other, and a pair of toggle levers having a pivot point which is beyond center when set in a position to retain the jaw members in an open position, the toggle levers being positioned to be engaged by a golf ball when the jaws are placed over the golf ball such that when the golf ball engages the toggle levers they will move in the opposite direction beyond center to permit the spring loaded jaws to close and engage and hold a golf ball therebetween.

United States Patent Nesselt 1 Nov. 25, 1975 1 GOLF BALL RETRIEVERPrimary ExaminerRichard A. Schacher [76] Inventor: Norman F. Nesselt,737 W. Dayton Ash-"mm! Exammer cherryz Johnny Circle, Fort Lauderdale,33312 Attorney, Agenn or Fzrm-Marden S. Gordon [22] Filed: Nov. 29, 1974[57] ABSTRACT [21] App1.No.: 528,251

A golf ball retriever for retrieving a golf ball from an inaccessibleposition such as from the bottom of a [52] US. Cl. 294/19 A; 294/110 Awater hazard and consisting of a telescopic handle [51] hit. Cl. A47F13/06; A63B 57/00 having a pair of jaw members spring biased in a direc[58] Field of Search 294/19 R, 19 A. 20, 21, tion to Close toward eachother, and a pair of toggle 294/99 110 110 A; 56/328 333 levers having apivot point which is beyond center when set in a position to retain thejaw members in an [56] References Cted open position, the toggle leversbeing positioned to be UNITED STATES PATENTS engaged by a golf ball whenthe jaws are placed over 1,452,679 4/1923 Fisher 294/19 A the g ballSuch that when the golf ball engages the 1,934,132 11/1933 Lamb...294/110 A toggle levers they will move in the opposite direction2,549,257 4/1951 Staunt 294/19 A beyond center .to permit the springloaded jaws to 2334629 5/1958 Williams 294/19 A close and engage andhold a golf ball therebetween. 3,038,751 6/1962 Stafford 294/19 A 3Claims, 5 Drawing Figures US. Patent Nov. 25, 1975 l. Field of theInvention This invention relates generally to the game of golf and moreparticularly to a novel and improved golf ball retriever forretrievinggolf balls from water hazards and other inaccessiblelocations.

2. Description of the Prior Art During play of the game of golf thereare..encountered numerous water hazards which are so positioned toprovide difficulty for the golfer in hitting the golf ball over thewater hazard so that frequently the ball falls short of itsintendedflight and fallsinto the water hazard. In view of the expense ofgolf balls, this can be quite frustrating to the golfer andpose apsychological fear that more balls will be lost in the water hazard withthe expense thereof having to be carried by the individual player. Y

Accordingly, it has been known in the prior art to provide a golf ballretriever for-use in retrieving golf balls from water hazards. and thelike. Such golf ball retrievers are generally represented by patentsissued to McEvoy US. Pat. No. 2,833,584; Ward US. Pat. No. 3,029,097;and .Stafford US. Pat. No. 3,038,751.

However, all of such prior art devices suffer from one or moredisadvantages as to being overly complex in structure and expensive tomanufacture and purchase, require two hands for proper operationthereof, are of a bulky construction not readily carried in a golf bag,are subject to misapplication causing further frustration to the golferwhen attempting to use the same to retrieve golf balls, and the like. 7I

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention remedies and overcomesall of the deficiencies and disadvantages of presently available golfball retrievers by providing a novel and improved golf ball retrieverwherein a pair of spring loaded jaws are cocked into a spread apart openposition by means of an over-center pair of toggle levers in a mannersuch that when the jaws are passed about the golf ball .to be retrievedwith the golf ball engaging the toggle lever the. golf ball moves thetoggle lever to a position freeing the jaw members which grasp the golfball therebetween for retrieving purposes.

It is a feature of the present invention to provide a golf ballretriever.

A further feature of the present invention provides a golf ballretriever which is relatively simple in its construction and whichtherefore may be readily manufactured at a relatively low cost and bysimple manufacturing methods so that it can be retailed. atasufficiently low price to encourage widespread use thereof.

A further feature of the present invention provides a golf ballretriever provided with a pair of spring loaded jaw members which areself-clamping upon. contact with a golf ball, and wherein a telescopichandle is provided which may be elongated or shortened as required foruse of-the retriever. 1

Still a further feature of the present invention provides a golf ballretriever that is simple in structure yet effective to entrap andcontain a golf ball therein. for retrieving the same, one which is easyto manipulate and positive in its action, one which positively retainsthe golf'ball regardless of the positionto which the retriever may bemoved after entrapment of the golf ball therein, and one \which isoperable by the use of only one hand. I

Yet still a further feature'of the present invention provides agolf-ball-retriever which is easy to use and reliable and efficient inoperation, and one which is of a rugged and durable construction so thatit may be guaranteed by the manufacturer to withstand many years ofintended usage.

Other features and advantages of this invention will be apparent-duringthe course of the following description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the accompanying drawings forming apart of this specification, and in which like reference characters areemployed todesignate like parts throughout the same:

FIG. .1 isa perspective view of the golf ball retriever with the jaws inthe open'position and with the handle in its extended position;

FIG. 2 is a sideelevational view of the golf ball retriever with thejaws in the open position and with the handle in the collapsed closedposition;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the golf ball retriever in the openposition and initially engaging a golf ball;

FIG. 4 isa side elevational view similar to FIG. 3 with the jawsillustrated in the tripped closed position entrapping and containing agolf ball therebetween; and

FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of the golf retriever as viewed inthe directions of arrows 55 of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings indetail there is illustrated a preferred form of a golf ball retrieverconstructed in accordance with the principles of the present inventionand which is designated generally in its entirety by the referencenumeral 10 and which is comprised-of a telescopic handle 11, a jawmember 12, and atriggering type toggle linkage 14.

The telescopic handle 11 is comprised of three telescoping segments 21,22 and 23 each of a cylindrical configuration with each being of asuccessively larger diameter, and so arranged as to frictionallyinterengage vso that the handle will remain in any extended distance.The smallest or end section 21 is preferably closed at its extremity byan end cap 24. The largest or opposite end section 23 is fitted at itsextremity 25 with a flat flange member 26 disposed diametricallyrelative thereto and extending outwardly therefrom and having anaperture 27 extending therethrough.

Affixed to flange 27 are the leg portions 31 and 32 of a U-shapedbracket 33 having a bight portion 34 extending downwardly therefrom.Bracket 33 is secured to flange 26 by means of a bolt 35 passing axiallythrough openings in each of the legs 31 and 32 and through opening 27,and being secured thereto by a nut 36 Extending through bight portion 34of bracket 33 and secured therein is a rod shaped pin member 41 having acylindrically coiled spring 42 extending concentric therewith and withthe springs having opposed ends 43 and44.

The jaw member 12 consists of a pair of substantially identically shapedand configured U-shaped wire form jaw members 51 and 52-. Jaw member 51has parallel leg portions 53 and 54 with a bight portion 55 which isprovided with an offset 56 centrally thereof and projecting upwardly andoutwardly out of the plane determined by members 53-55. Similarly, jawmember 52 has parallel leg portions 63 and 64, bight portion 65, andcentral offset portion 66 which projects outwardly of the plane definedby the members 6365 and in a direction away from the direction ofprojection of member 56.

The end 44 of spring 42 engages a midpoint of leg 64 with the end 43 ofthe spring 42 engaging a midpoint of the leg 53 such that the jawmembers 51 and 52 are spring biased in a direction toward each other.

A rod shaped member 71 is provided having its ends engaging the topportions of leg portions 63 and 64 so as to extend therebetweengenerally parallel to pin 41 at a position generally adjacent pin 41. Inorder to provide for the maintaining of the opposed spring loaded jawmembers 51 and 52 in a spread apart spaced position to permit passage ofa golf ball 18 therebetween, there is provided a pair of toggle levers72 and 73 which are connected together at their adjacentmost ends bymeans of a pivot 74, with the opposite end of lever 72 connectedcentrally of bar 71 by the bar passing through an opening 75 in the end,and with the opposite end of lever 73 having an opening extendingtherethrough so as to be pivotally connected centrally of offset portion56. The toggle levers 72 and 73 are adapted to be moved until they arelongitudinally aligned with each other and then to be still slightlyfurther moved until they are slightly off center with the connected endson being off center from the longitudinal alignment axis in thedirection ofjaw member 52. In this position the jaw members 51 and 52are retained in the open position as illustrated in FIG. 3.

When golf ball 18 enters between jaw members 51 and 52 when in the openposition, the golf ball engages toggle lever 72 in a manner to drivepivot 74 in the opposite direction at the longitudinal alignmentposition of such toggle levers, this thus releasing the jaw members atwhich time spring action of spring 42 pulls the jaw members 51 and 52 ina direction toward each other to entrap golf ball 18 therebetween.

It is thus seen that toggle levers 72 and 73 provide for the spreadingapart of the jaw members 51 and 52 so that a golf ball can pass betweenthe same, and for holding the jaw members in such open relationshipuntil such time as the golf ball is between them so that it can betrapped and held therein, and when the ball is so positioned it tripsthe lever 72 thus rendering the toggle linkage l4 inactive as soon asthe golf ball is within the jaw members so that the jaw members closeonto the golf ball and entrap the same.

In use of the device, it is understood that it is necessary to set orcock the toggle linkage 14 to initially open the jaw members 51 and 52.In other words, the toggle linkage must be moved beyond center to theposition of FIG. 3 so that it will operate to hold the jaw members inthe spread apart open position. When golf ball 18 enters between jawmembers 51 and 52 it engages the toggle lever 72 in a manner to throwthe pivot connection 74 beyond center so that the spring 42 will pullthe jaws 51 and 52 of the jaw member 12 together to engage and hold thegolf ball 18.

It is to be understood that the form of this invention herewith shownand described is to be taken as a pre ferred example of the same, andthat this invention is not to be limited to the exact arrangement ofparts shown in the accompanying drawings or described in thisspecification as various changes in the details of construction as toshape, size, and arrangement of parts may be resorted to withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention, the scope of the novelconcepts thereof, or the scope of the sub-joined claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed l. A golf ballretriever comprising, in combination:

a handle having a plurality of frictionally engaged.

telescoping sections;

a U-shaped bracket affixed centrally to a bottom one.

of said telescoping sections and extending outwardly therefrom with itsbight portion spaced furthest from such section;

a pivot pin retained in said bight portion and extending outwardly fromopposite ends thereof;

a cylindrically coiled spring disposed concentric on said pivot pin andhaving its opposed ends extending radially outwardly relative to saidpivot pin;

a pair of substantially indentical jaw members each pivotally connectedto the end portions of said pivot pin and extending downwardlytherefrom;

one end of said spring engaging one of said jaw members with theopposite .end of said spring engaging the opposite one of said jawmembers in a manner to spring bias said jaw members in a pivotaldirection about the axis of said pin in a direction toward each other;and

toggle means for releasably holding said opposed jaw members in spacedapart relationship and operable to release said jaw members for movementin a direction toward each other under force of said spring.

2. The golf ball retriever as set forth in claim 1 further characterizedby each of said jaw members being i of a substantially indenticalU-shaped configuration formed of wire stock bent to the desiredconfiguration, each jaw member having a bight member and a pair ofgenerally parallel leg members with the ends of each leg member beingbent about the associated end portions of said pivot pin for pivotallyretaining said jaw member to said pivot pin, and an offset portionformed integrally centrally of each bight member and projecting upwardlyand outwardly of the plane defined by said leg members and bight memberof each of said jaw members.

3. The golf ball retriever as set forth in claim 2 wherein said meansfor releasably retaining said jaw members in a spread apart openposition comprises:

a wire form bar member extending generally parallel to said bight memberof said first mentioned jaw member and having its ends affixed to saidfirst mentioned jaw member leg members at the top portions thereof;

a pair of toggle levers;

a first one of said toggle levers having one end pivotally connectedcentrally of said bar member with the opposite end extending outwardlytherefrom;

a second one of said toggle levers having one end pivotally connected tosaid offset portion of said second mentioned jaw member with itsopposite end extending outwardly therefrom;

a pivot pin pivotally connecting said opposite end of said first leverarm to said opposite end of said second lever arm;

said toggle levers adapted to be moved to a first position where saidpivot connection is slightly off center in the direction of said firstmentioned jaw said first one of said toggle levers disposed in aposition within the opening defined by said jaw mem- 6 bers when saidtoggle levers are in said first position opening said jaw members, saidfirst toggle lever located in a manner to be engaged by a golf ballpassing between said jaw members and acting to shift said toggle linkageto said second position to cause said jaw members to engage and holdsaid golf ball therebetween.

1. A golf ball retriever comprising, in combination: a handle having aplurality of frictionally engaged telescoping sections; a U-shapedbracket affixed centrally to a bottom one of said telescoping sectionsand extending outwardly therefrom with its bight portion spaced furthestfrom such section; a pivot pin retained in said bight portion andextending outwardly from opposite ends thereOf; a cylindrically coiledspring disposed concentric on said pivot pin and having its opposed endsextending radially outwardly relative to said pivot pin; a pair ofsubstantially indentical jaw members each pivotally connected to the endportions of said pivot pin and extending downwardly therefrom; one endof said spring engaging one of said jaw members with the opposite end ofsaid spring engaging the opposite one of said jaw members in a manner tospring bias said jaw members in a pivotal direction about the axis ofsaid pin in a direction toward each other; and toggle means forreleasably holding said opposed jaw members in spaced apart relationshipand operable to release said jaw members for movement in a directiontoward each other under force of said spring.
 2. The golf ball retrieveras set forth in claim 1 further characterized by each of said jawmembers being of a substantially indentical U-shaped configurationformed of wire stock bent to the desired configuration, each jaw memberhaving a bight member and a pair of generally parallel leg members withthe ends of each leg member being bent about the associated end portionsof said pivot pin for pivotally retaining said jaw member to said pivotpin, and an offset portion formed integrally centrally of each bightmember and projecting upwardly and outwardly of the plane defined bysaid leg members and bight member of each of said jaw members.
 3. Thegolf ball retriever as set forth in claim 2 wherein said means forreleasably retaining said jaw members in a spread apart open positioncomprises: a wire form bar member extending generally parallel to saidbight member of said first mentioned jaw member and having its endsaffixed to said first mentioned jaw member leg members at the topportions thereof; a pair of toggle levers; a first one of said togglelevers having one end pivotally connected centrally of said bar memberwith the opposite end extending outwardly therefrom; a second one ofsaid toggle levers having one end pivotally connected to said offsetportion of said second mentioned jaw member with its opposite endextending outwardly therefrom; a pivot pin pivotally connecting saidopposite end of said first lever arm to said opposite end of said secondlever arm; said toggle levers adapted to be moved to a first positionwhere said pivot connection is slightly off center in the direction ofsaid first mentioned jaw member to retain said first and second jawmembers in spaced apart open relationship, and a second position whereinsaid pivot connection is off center in a direction away from said firstmentioned jaw member to thus free said jaw members for pivotablemovement toward each other under action of said spring to close said jawmembers; said first one of said toggle levers disposed in a positionwithin the opening defined by said jaw members when said toggle leversare in said first position opening said jaw members, said first togglelever located in a manner to be engaged by a golf ball passing betweensaid jaw members and acting to shift said toggle linkage to said secondposition to cause said jaw members to engage and hold said golf balltherebetween.